WHO CAN ENTER_

VC26 is open to ambitious founders, ventures, startups, projects, companies and organisations from around the world.

You do not need to be a large company. You do not need to have raised investment. You do not need to have a perfect pitch deck.

You need to be building something with serious potential.

Basic Eligibility

You can apply to VC26 if:

  • 1.You are aged 18 or over.
  • 2.You can submit your application in English.
  • 3.You are the founder, co founder, owner or authorised representative of the venture.
  • 4.Your venture, project or organisation is lawful in the country where it operates.
  • 5.You are able to provide accurate information about what you are building.
  • 6.You agree to the VC26 Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Who VC26 Is For

VC26 is designed for people building across every stage and category of ambition. You may be eligible if you are:

Turning a new idea into something real.
Building as a solo founder.
Building with a small team.
Growing a company with serious scale potential.
Preparing a venture to become investable.
Creating positive impact for people, animals or the environment.
Removing barriers in life, work, travel, education, health or public spaces.
Building something unusual, overlooked or hard to categorise.

Eligible Venture Types

Startups
Small businesses
Solo founder companies
Early stage projects
Technology companies
AI enabled ventures
Social enterprises
Non profits
CICs and community interest companies
Charities
Creator led businesses
Service businesses
Product businesses
Marketplaces
Platforms
Traditional businesses using technology to grow
Inclusion and impact led ventures

Eligible Stages

1At idea stage
2Testing a new concept
3Building first product or service
4Serving first customers
5Generating revenue
6Growing your team
7Preparing to raise investment
8Scaling established venture
9Relaunching a business

VC26 is not only for venture backed startups. It is for serious builders at different stages of the journey.

Global Eligibility

VC26 is open globally, unless participation is prohibited or restricted by local law. Applicants are responsible for making sure they are allowed to enter from their country, state, region or territory.

Datumra may restrict, reject or remove entries where participation could create legal, regulatory, sanctions, tax, operational or compliance issues.

Who Cannot Apply

  • •Under 18 years of age.
  • •Not authorised to submit the venture.
  • •Entry is unlawful, fraudulent, misleading or abusive.
  • •Venture is illegal in the place of operation.
  • •Application includes content you don't have rights to share.
  • •Breaches sanctions, export controls or legal restrictions.
  • •Unable or unwilling to agree to Terms and Privacy Policy.

Datumra may also reject entries that are offensive, discriminatory, harmful, deceptive, spam based, automated or duplicated.

One Entry Per Venture

Only one entry is allowed per venture, company, project or founder team unless Datumra confirms otherwise.

If your venture could fit more than one category, choose the category that best reflects your current stage, focus or ambition.

Category Eligibility_

The New Idea

For people taking an idea from zero to one. This category may fit if you are still shaping, testing or validating a new idea.

Solo Builders

For solo founders building with the leverage to become a One Person Unicorn. Fits if you are building alone using systems to create outsized progress.

Lean Teams

For small teams building with the ambition and systems to become a Ten Person Decacorn. Fits if you move faster than larger organisations.

Future Giants

For companies with the potential to become a Hundred Person Hectocorn. Fits if your venture could become a major system relied on by many.

Capital Ready

For ventures with the structure, ambition and evidence to become investable. Fits if you could attract serious commercial backing.

Purpose Ventures

For ventures creating serious positive impact for people, animals or the environment. Fits if positive impact is central to your mission.

Barrier Breakers

For ventures removing barriers in life, work, travel, education, health or public spaces. Fits if you improve access and participation.

The Wildcard

For unusual, overlooked or hard to categorise ventures with serious potential. Fits if your venture doesn't sit neatly in another track.

Do You Need a Pitch Deck?

No. A pitch deck may help, but it is not required unless we specifically ask for one at a later stage.

Apply by answering questions and providing relevant links.

Do You Need to Have Revenue?

No. Some categories are suitable for early ideas and pre revenue ventures. If you do have revenue, traction or impact evidence, include that.

Do You Need to Be Fundraising?

No. VC26 is open to ventures that are fundraising and ventures that are not. Investment is not a prerequisite to enter.

Do You Need to Use Datumra OS?

No. You do not need to be a Datumra OS customer. Purchasing any Datumra product does not guarantee any competition outcome.

Can Someone Nominate Me?

Yes. Someone can nominate your venture, but you still need to complete the official application and accept the competition terms.

Nominate a builder

Can I Nominate Someone Else?

Yes. You can nominate a founder, venture, company or organisation that you believe should be considered for VC26.

Submit a nomination

READY TO GROW_

Start Your Entry